North Mason School Board selects Youngberg

The North Mason School District selected Erik Youngberg on May 10 to fill the District 1 School Board position left vacant by Art Wightman, whose resignation was accepted at the board's March 24 meeting.

In his letter to the board, Youngberg described himself as a fifth-generation resident of Mason County who wants to make a difference in the community by doing what he can to ensure future residents "continue to have a great school system."

Youngberg said he learned to cope with childhood dyslexia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, allowing him to overcome predictions that "I would not accomplish much." He credited his parents and teachers for providing "me with the skills to accomplish remarkable things throughout my career."

With two kids enrolled in the district, Youngberg said he wants to ensure the same education he received is provided to future generations.

Youngberg touted the critical thinking and problem-solving skills he developed in the "complex, high-pressure environments" of the U.S. Air Force and while working as an information technology manager.

"I have always been able to overcome adversity, from supporting mission-critical combat operations to providing the Navy with the largest private network," Youngberg wrote.

Youngberg also noted his seven years as a soccer and fastpitch coach, leading two teams to championships at the recreational level.

Of the five years Youngberg has been on the North Mason Youth Fastpitch League Board, he's been board president for the past three years while also being the fundraising chair of the recreation youth soccer board for the past two years.

"As president of the Youth Fastpitch Recreation League, some of my duties are to oversee and organize all activities, resolve parent and player issues, and work with our county and other leagues to address issues," wrote Youngberg, who said he led the youth recreation leagues out of the COVID-19 pandemic by developing a return-to-play plan that he cited as being used by "multiple organizations in Mason and Kitsap counties to get youth sports back on the fields."

Youngberg said he established recurring meetings with youth sports presidents, a Mason County commissioner and other county representatives to discuss field use and improvements, and mutually beneficial fundraising efforts.

"Due to the hard work and respect we have built, this has worked, and we have been able to help improve each other's leagues," Youngberg wrote. "I want to be effective in our community, especially with the youths, by providing opportunities with their school experience. I know my community relationships with parents and businesses, including (my) relationship with the county commissioner, can help bring our community together in supporting the schools."

The other applicant considered for the position was Dr. Richard Miller, who credited the North Mason School District with providing his children "with some of the best opportunities and experiences a child could have during their educational years."

Like Youngberg, Miller's letter of interest expressed his desire to give back to the district, while also noting his own 22 years of military service, plus nearly 10 years of civil service and "an extensive educational history and tacit knowledge of how the educational system works outside of the first 12 years of education."

Miller said he worked on several committees and for think tanks with education and training as their primary focus, and he cited his "extensive knowledge and background in business management and operations, with a focus in strategic management."

Author Bio

Kirk Boxleitner, Reporter

Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald
[email protected]